Cairo

Cairo was another breakthrough.  The first night of mission was mainly to people from a Coptic Christian background (invited by members of a local church).  Of the 250 or so present, of whom about 100 were guests, thirty five (including two Muslims) came forward to give their lives to Christ.  One of the elders later commented that the church did not normally see such fruit in a year.

Then we did it in a Muslim area.  This was one of the most heart-rending situations we have ever witnessed.  The community literally lives off the garbage dumps of Cairo, and is nick-named 'Garbage City'.  Amongst their simple dwellings, they sit and sift through the garbage and sort out plastic from metal etc, to sell on for recycling - and this they do with their bare hands, and the streets are just full of garbage everywhere.   The smell of the place starts to hit you a mile away.  And yet these people live with dignity and generosity of spirit; we were welcomed with open arms and not a trace of resentment - a triumph of the human spirit.

My comment to Gina was that 'I can see why Jesus had to be born in a stable'.  And one did feel that Jesus, present by his Holy Spirit, was quite at home in a place like that and if anything the presence of God was stronger than usual.  We worked there with a small church of about 60.  Under a couple of makeshift lights in the darkness of evening, Muslim neighbours were invited, a simple meal of filled rolls was prepared and offered, a group of about 30 church members led us in wonderfully spirited worship (no instruments, bar a pair of small cymbals); there was much prayer ministry (the people loved to be prayed for); and finally, after a simple evangelistic address, 70 Muslims came forward to receive Jesus, followed by much more prayer ministry.  A more joyful occasion I find it difficult to remember.  Anyway, they have invited us back for next October, when a mission in a normal park in a big city is also in the offing.

M.G. December 05

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